Dive Teams Look For Missing Mother

THORNDALE, Pa. - A volunteer organization from Texas scanned the river by Flat Rock Park in Gladwyne with a sonar device Thursday.

They're looking for Toni Lee Sharpless' car. Sharpless, a 29-year-old mother and nurse missing on August 23. What they found with their sonar device needs investigating, reported Fox 29's Julie Kim.

"We've seen things of interest out there. We can't say it's a car," said Tim Miller, founder of Texas Equusearch. "Where Toni was last seen and how close the water was and how easily she could have gotten confused, there's a possibility she's in the water."

She was last seen less than a quarter mile from the park. She had been driving a friend home from a house party when they got into an argument about whether she was sober enough to drive. The friend got out at Hollow Road but Sharpless was never seen again. Sharpless' family called Texas Equusearch for help.

"We've done searches all over the world," said Miller.

Caylee Anthony, Jennifer Kesse, Natalie Holloway are just some of the cases Texas Equusearch has assisted on. They are a volunteer group that does not get reimbursed by police or families. They are strictly here to help, says Miller.

And now Texas Equusearch needs some of the public's help. They need the use of a boat to continue their search. The boat needs to have a depthfinder and be able to carry 5 people.

If you can help Texas Equusearch by donating a boat, please call Gigi Hayes at 610-384-0154.

Sharpless is 5 feet 5 inches tall, 135 pounds, with red hair and blue eyes. She was driving a black 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix, license plate number DND-7772.

"This is our daughter. I mean, just like if you were missing your daughter, I mean, it means the world to you," says father Peter Knebel. "We've never had anything like this happen in our lives, but it's awful because there has to be someone out there that knows."